摘要 |
An improved lecithin product is provided by a process for extracting oil and/or sugar from crude lecithin. The improved lecithin product has up to about 75 wt. %, phospholipids, and an oil and sugar content of about 10 wt. % or less. The improved lecithin product may have acetone insolubles content of more than about 68, and sugar content of less than about 1.0 wt. %. The process provided involves extracting oil and/or sugar from crude lecithin using blends of ethanol and water in two extraction steps. The method includes: providing a crude lecithin material; mixing the crude lecithin material with a blend of ethanol and water in a first extraction step; collecting the residue from the first extraction step; mixing the residue from the first extraction step with a blend of ethanol and water in a second extraction step; and collecting the residue from the second extraction step as an improved lecithin product.
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